New Cathay B777 features premium economy cabin

Cathay Pacific Airways has taken delivery of a new B777-300ER, the first aircraft to feature its premium economy class product and new long-haul economy class seats.

As well as introducing a new seat and entertainment system, Cathay Pacific has designed the entire customer experience to be more special for its new premium economy passengers.

The new premium economy experience features a quieter, more spacious cabin than the traditional economy class with between 26 and 34 seats per aircraft. The seat pitch is 96,5 cm and the seat is wider and has a bigger recline. It has a large meal table, cocktail table, footrest, a 27 cm personal television, an in-seat power outlet, a multi-port connector for personal devices and extra personal stowage space.

Complementing these features, premium economy passengers will also benefit from:

•    Priority check-in at dedicated counters and priority boarding before economy-class passengers.
•    An increase in baggage allowance from 20kg to 25kg (weight system) or two pieces of baggage from 23kg to 25kg each (piece system).
•    An environmentally friendly amenity kit with dental kit, socks, eyeshade and earplugs for use during their journey.
•    Larger pillows and noise-cancelling headsets  
•    Juice and champagne when they board and an enhanced meal selection.

Passengers can book the Premium Economy seats for flights departing from April 1 onwards which will initially be featured on some of the selected flights on the Sydney (CX101/100), Toronto (CX826/825/828/829), Vancouver (CX888/889), and New York (CX830/831/ 840/841/888/889) routes. In May, Premium Economy will be featured on some of the selected flights on the London route (CX252/255). As the number of aircraft fitted with these new cabins increases, priority will be given to achieving daily availability on these routes.

The new long-haul economy-class seat features a cradle mechanism to enhance the level of comfort in the recline position, the latest in high-resolution touch-screen personal televisions, a USB outlet and an iPod/iPhone outlet that allows passengers to connect their own mobile devices to view content through the personal television. The seat also offers improved living space and more personal storage space.

The new seats will be fitted on all Cathay Pacific long-haul B777-300ER and A330-300 aircraft. The first aircraft will enter service in March flying to Sydney and Toronto initially. A total of 36 B777-300ERs and 26 A330-300s will be fitted with the seats by December 2013.